Two West African nations played to a FIFA World Cup qualifying stalemate with Guinea and Guinea-Bissau stuck at 0-0 after ninety minutes in Conakry. The Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau remain in second place in Group I on five points while Guinea remain a point behind, with Morocco on twelve points already having clinched first place and qualification for the final stage.
With nothing to play for, both teams played with enthusiasm and there were plenty of opportunities but poor finishing. 20-year-old Olympiacos midfielder Aguibou Camara has shown plenty of promise throughout the qualifying campaign for Guinea, but missed a couple of crucial chances earlier against Sudan and would fail to convert on a few more in this match. In the 18th minute, Camara was on the providing end as he set up Ibrahima Sory Kanté with a low cross, but the Israel-based player blasted over from eight yards out.
Camara then had his first chance to score a couple of minutes later. Mamadou Kane got free on the right flank with an excellent touch around a Guinea-Bissauan defender, then set up Camara with a cross, whose shot was well saved by an in-form Jonas Mendes. The teams went into halftime all square with the hosts looking more likely to strike.
The visitors got involved in the attacking end more after the break. In the 52nd minute, a long throw by full back Fali Candé caused havoc as the Guinean defense struggled to clear before striker Joseph Mendes collected with his back to goal and fired just wide on the turn. A few minutes later, it was Camara once again with an opportunity after being sent in by a perfectly weighted through ball by Naby Soumah, but Jonas Mendes once again came up with a superb reflex save.
Yet another chance fell Camara’s way in the 79th minute courtesy of a pass from José Kanté, but Camara was caught between shooting or crossing and his low ball went across the goal mouth with nobody able to apply the final touch. Guinea-Bissau’s best chance came a couple of minutes later in the 81st off a corner kick. After the initial service was not dealt with, a cross from Mauro Rodrigues found its way to Alfa Semedo, but with the goal gaping Semedo’s shot was deflected over by a last ditch tackle.
A goal was not meant to be on the day and the teams finished 0-0. Highlights of the match in Conakry are in the link below.
